Apply for a premises licence

These are:

• prevention of crime and disorder

• public safety

• prevention of public nuisance

• protection of children from harm

Eligibility criteria

Any of the following may apply for a premises licence:

• anyone who carries on, or proposes to carry on, a business which involves use of premises for licensable activities to which the application relates

• a person who makes the application pursuant to any statutory function discharged by that person which relates to those licensable activities, or any function discharged by that person by virtue of Her Majesty's prerogative

• a recognised club

• a charity

• the proprietor of an educational institution

• a health service body

• a person registered under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14) in respect of an independent hospital [in Wales]

• a person registered under Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of the carrying on of a regulated activity (within the meaning of the Part) in an independent hospital in England]

• a chief police officer of a police force in England and Wales

• a person of such other description as may be prescribed

Applicants must not be under 18 years of age.

Application evaluation process

Applications must be in a specific format and accompanied by any required fee, with an operating schedule, a plan of the premises and a form of consent from the Premises Supervisor (for applications where the sale of alcohol will be a licensable activity).

An operating schedule will include details of:

• the licensable activities

• the times of activities 

• any other times when the premises will be open to the public

• for applicants who wish to have a limited licence, the period the licence is required for

• information on the premises supervisor

• whether any alcohol to be sold is for consumption on or off the premises or both

• the steps proposed to promote the licensing objectives

• any other required information

Applicants will be required to advertise their application and give notice of the application to any other person or responsible authority, such as the local authority, chief police officer or fire and rescue authority.  We will advertise the application on our website.

We must grant the application, which can be subject to conditions, unless any relevant representations are received. A hearing must be held if representations are made in respect of the application. If a hearing is held, the licence may be granted or granted subject to additional conditions.  Licensable activities listed in the application can be excluded or the application can be rejected.

We will serve a notice of our decision on the applicant, any person who has made relevant representations (i.e. representations not deemed frivolous or vexatious) and the police.

Applications can also be made to vary or transfer a licence. A hearing may be needed if representations are made or conditions relating to a transfer are not met.

Other applications can be made for an interim authority notice following the death, incapacity or insolvency of a licence holder or review applications.

Will tacit consent apply?

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period.

The appeal process

If your application is rejected, or if you are unhappy with any decision made at a sub-committee hearing, you have the right to appeal. You may also appeal against any condition applied to your licence if you feel that it is not appropriate or clear.

Any appeal must be made to the magistrates court in Lincoln within 21 days of you being notified of the decision. A fee may be payable. The appeal process is also available to anyone who made representations, including the responsible authorities.

Displaying and advertising your application

The notice must follow a set of requirements:

Your advertisement must include:

• name of applicant/club

• postal address of the premises

• the licensable activities you intend to offer

• the days and times you intend to offer the activities

• the deadline for representations

• the notice(s) must be A4 size or larger and printed legibly in black ink, on pale blue paper and with a font size of 16 or more

You must also:

• display your advertisement in a prominent position where it can be easily read from outside

• display your notice(s) for a period of no less than 28 consecutive days starting on the day after we received the application

• publish an advertisement in a local newspaper on at least one occasion during the 10 working days following the day on which we received your application

If your premises is larger than 50 square metres, you will need to display additional notices at 50 metre intervals along the external perimeter of the premises abutting any highway.

• Sample newspaper and site notice

Representations must be sent to:

How to apply

If you intend to sell or supply alcohol, you must identify a personal licence holder who is willing to act as your Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). They must confirm their willingness to act as your DPS by completing the consent form below.

•  Designated Premises Supervisor consent form

With your application you must also submit a clear and legible plan of the premises. We recommend that you include a scale and legend of your plan to help us understand the size of your proposed business. 

 Apply for a premises licence

You can apply online with GOV.UK to:

• Apply for an Interim Authority Notice (GOV.UK)

• Apply for a Provisional Statement (GOV.UK)

• Notify of an interest in premises under section 178 (GOV.UK)